RoadVitals

2005 Suzuki VL800

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jul 18, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 21, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Suzuki VL800, most frequently naming the electrical, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical545.5%
  • Tires & wheels218.2%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Exterior lighting19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
05V566000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Dec 21, 2005
23,839 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF PRODUCTION. IF THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT ROUTED PROPERLY, IT CAN RUB AGAINST THE CLUTCH CABLE/THROTTLE CABLE.
The risk: CONTINUED RUBBING MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL OR THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. THIS WILL INCREASE THE CHANCE OF A CRASH RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACE THE LOCK SET INCLUDING THE IGNITION SWITCH ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH CABLE/THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 714-572-1490.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number 2085View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 18, 2019

BIKE LOST ALL POWER, NO LIGHTS NOTHING AND WON'T START.

NHTSA ID
11233221
Incident
Jul 17, 2019
Mileage
10,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 19, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI VL800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE COST OF $800. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V566000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) AND IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS REPEATEDLY INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,000.

NHTSA ID
10249325
Incident
Sep 26, 2008
Mileage
11,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 15, 2008

I HAVE 2 2005 SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARDS MOTORCYCLES. I ADDED A LIGHT BAR MADE BY SUZUKI. IT ATTACHES ELECTRICALLY TO A PLUG PROVIDED BY SUZUKI INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT CAN. WHEN USED, IT OVERLOADS THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING HEAT, MELTING PLASTIC INSIDE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 2004'S (VL800 VULSIA) WHICH RUN OFF A CARBURETOR. THE 2005'S ARE FUEL INJECTED, AND REQUIRE A FUEL PUMP. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS THE SAME ON BOTH. THOSE THAT HAVE THE LIGHT BAR ON THE 2004'S AND EARLIER DO NOT REPORT THIS PROBLEM. THOSE WITH 2005 AND UP, DO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. REFERENCE VOLUSIARIDERS.COM, AND SEARCH ON IGNITION SWITCH. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE 2005'S ARE DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL LOAD OF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LIGHT BAR. THE SWITCH CAN FAIL WHILE IN OPERATION, AND LOSS OF POWER CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CAN RESEARCH THE FAILURE DATE, BELOW IS A GUESS. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE INSTALLATION OF A RELAY, USING THE HEADLIGHT WIRE TO TRIGGER THE RELAY. THE POWER IS FED FROM THE BATTERY, NOT THE PLUG IN THE HEADLIGHT CAN FURNISHED BY SUZUKI. *TR

NHTSA ID
10221322
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Mileage
20,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 21, 2007

THE REAR HUB ON THE SUZUKI C50 WAS FULL OF CRACKS,ESPECIALLY AROUND THE SPOKE HOLES. THEY WERE GETTING WORSE. IF THE HUB DISINTEGRATED IT WOULD KILL ME AND MY WIFE. THIS WAS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT,THE WEB WAS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I HOPE SOMEONE DID NOT HAVE TO GET KILLED FROM THIS DEFECT TO HAVE THEM RECALL IT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD ONLY 1500 MILES ON IT , AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I COUNTED 30 SEVERE CRACKS IN THE LEFT SIDE HUB AROUND THE SPOKE HOLES. SO NOW WE COULD NOT RIDE IT BECAUSE THE HUB WILL COME APART ON US . IT WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10191401
Incident
May 21, 2007
Mileage
1,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 4, 2007

RIDING MY 2005 SUZUKI BOULEVARD S50 MOTORCYCLE (LESS THAN 10,000 MILES) TO WORK THIS MORNING WHEN THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. THE CONSEQUENCES WAS THAT I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I WAS GOING IN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. SUZUKI CLAIMS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM, BUT THE BIKE IS NOT USED EXCEPT FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND BACK AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10187047
Incident
Apr 4, 2007
Mileage
9,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 27, 2006

MY 2005 SUZUKI C50 MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE FRONT AND REAR HUBS OF THE WHEELS. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON IT. I FOUND THE CRACKS AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THEM ON THE INTERNET. THESE CRACKS APPEAR TO BE VERY COMMON WITH THIS BIKE. SUZUKI SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND EITHER REPLACE THE RIMS OR NOTIFY THE OWNERS IF THIS IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED WITH. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE RIDING MY BIKE WITHOUT FEAR OF A WHEEL BREAKING APART. *JB

NHTSA ID
10163668
Incident
Jul 4, 2006
Mileage
1,253 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH MAKING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER PEG DETACHED RELEASING THE PASSENGER; A 12 YEAR OLD CHILD. THE PASSENGER WAS SECURED BY THE CONTACT WHILE TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME AND BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED DUE TO EXPOSURE TO AIR. THE DEALER ALSO EXPRESSED THAT THE BROKEN FRAME COULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SCHEDULED A INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10163615
Incident
Jul 20, 2006
Mileage
5,050 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 30, 2006
Crash reported

A GENUINE SUZUKI TACHOMETER CAUSES THE SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARD MOTORCYCLE TO STALL AND QUIT AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE TACHOMETER PART NUMBER IS 990A0-72001. SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THIS BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THREE DEALERS WERE INVOLVED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS. THE FIRST DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE SECOND DEALER FIRST INSISTED THAT THE MUFFLERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (FOR WHICH THEY CHARGED ME) AFTER VERIFYING THIS FIX WITH SUZUKI. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER FINALLY DISCONNECTED THE TACHOMETER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TACH WAS NOT A SUZUKI PART. THE THIRD DEALER DISMANTLED THE TACH AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A GENUINE SUZUKI PART WHILE INSPECTING THE BIKE FOR A WIRING HARNESS SAFETY RECALL. WHEN THEY CALLED SUZUKI, THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FUEL INJECTED C50'S. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE SUZUKI ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM THAT CAUSES EXACTLY THE SAME STALLING PROBLEM. SUZUKI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TACHOMETER. AT LEAST THREE DEALERS DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS DEFECT WHICH IS JUST AS SERIOUS AS THE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM. MY MOTORCYCLE RAN FINE FOR 20 OR THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED STALLING. I BOUGHT THIS MOTORCYCLE FROM A FRIEND WHO WARNED ME THAT THE BIKE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THE STALL PROBLEM STILL CAUSED ME TO DUMP THE MOTORCYCLE TWICE ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. AN OWNER WHO HAS THE SUZUKI TACH INSTALLED WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THIS AND IF HE OR SHE HEADS OUT ONTO A FREEWAY, STALLING THE BIKE COULD BE FATAL. SUZUKI HAS OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TACHOMETER AND IS ARRANGING TO HAVE BRACKETS ORDERED SO THAT THE TACH CAN BE REMOVED. BUT I STILL THINK THAT CURRENT OWNERS AND DEALERS NEED TO BE ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154190
Incident
Sep 20, 2005
Mileage
8,560 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

30

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ADDITIONAL SERVICE MANUAL INFORMATION. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki VL800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2010010—
2009410—
2008310—
2007200—
2006710—
2005Viewing910—
2004300—
2003300—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.